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Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
40Course code
Overview
Start your education journey with the Undergraduate Certificate of First Nations Educators
Thinking about a career in education, especially in remote or First Nations communities? This short course is a great way to start. The Undergraduate Certificate of First Nations Educators is for First Nations people looking to retrain, upskill, or take their first step into studying First Nations cultural and language education, without jumping straight into a full degree.
This course is distinguished by its integration of culturally responsive and First Nations-led approaches to teacher education, embedding First Nations knowledges, languages, and pedagogies through co-design with educators and communities. Through flexible delivery and school-based practice aligned to school calendars, students apply their learning directly within their workplace and community contexts, supporting participation across remote and regional settings. The course provides a practice-based pathway from Assistant Teacher to qualified teacher, with a strong focus on culturally safe, community-connected education and workforce development.
The course is available on-campusin intensive study mode. Flexible learning options are available, including attending face-to-face workshop blocks held on-campus in Darwin where free travel from anywhere in Australia and catered accommodation on-campus is offered during the workshops through Away-From-Base.
When you finish, you can use the units you've passed as credit towards further study in:
- Diploma of Educational Studies
- Diploma of First Nations Language Work
- Associate Degree of First Nations Cultural and Language Education
You may also be eligible to apply for advanced standing towards other university courses.
Career opportunities
The course provides you with the opportunity to retrain and upskill in education studies relevant to teaching whilst providing pathways to pursue further study.
Fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.
Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
Why study Indigenous knowledges at CDU?
Study Indigenous knowledges at CDU to ensure the advancement and preservation of Indigenous knowledge systems. We're uniquely positioned to offer learnings from cultural experts so you can make change through careers in Indigenous policy, advocacy, research, or more.
- Relevant to Indigenous and non-Indigenous students
- Strong relationships with Indigenous community groups
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study an undergraduate course at CDU?
Study an undergraduate course at Charles Darwin University to turn your passion into a profession. Choose from hundreds of certificates, diplomas and degrees and enjoy a flexible, supportive learning environment. Whatever you're interested in, there's a place for you at CDU.
- Top 100 university globally for quality education (THE Impact Rankings 2021)
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
Why study Indigenous knowledges at CDU?
Study Indigenous knowledges at CDU to ensure the advancement and preservation of Indigenous knowledge systems. We're uniquely positioned to offer learnings from cultural experts so you can make change through careers in Indigenous policy, advocacy, research, or more.
- Relevant to Indigenous and non-Indigenous students
- Strong relationships with Indigenous community groups
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study an undergraduate course at CDU?
Study an undergraduate course at Charles Darwin University to turn your passion into a profession. Choose from hundreds of certificates, diplomas and degrees and enjoy a flexible, supportive learning environment. Whatever you're interested in, there's a place for you at CDU.
- Top 100 university globally for quality education (THE Impact Rankings 2021)
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
What will I study?
This 40-credit point course consists of four (4) core units. These units cover language and literacy and First Nations cultural and language education.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 40 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Common Units (4 units) | 40cp | Common units totalling 40 credit points as detailed below. LAL100 Language, Literacy and Sustainability |
| 40cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN INTENSIVE PERIOD 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CU = Common Unit | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Intensive Period 1 | Intensive Period 2 | Intensive Period 3 | Intensive Period 4 | Intensive Period 5 | Intensive Period 6 | ||||||
| Year 1 | |||||||||||
| EST203 First Nations Contexts in Learning and Teaching Practice | CO | EST211 Teaching First Nations Languages in Schools | CO | EST202 First Nations Languages and Literacies | CO | LAL100 Language Literacy and Sustainability | CO | ||||
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN INTENSIVE PERIOD 3
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CU = Common Unit | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Intensive Period 1 | Intensive Period 2 | Intensive Period 3 | Intensive Period 4 | Intensive Period 5 | Intensive Period 6 | ||||||
| Year 1 | |||||||||||
| EST211 Teaching First Nations Languages in Schools | CO | EST202 First Nations Languages and Literacies | CO | LAL100 Language Literacy and Sustainability | CO | ||||||
| Year 2 | |||||||||||
| EST203 First Nations Contexts in Learning and Teaching Practice | CO | ||||||||||
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN INTENSIVE PERIOD 5
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CU = Common Unit | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Intensive Period 1 | Intensive Period 2 | Intensive Period 3 | Intensive Period 4 | Intensive Period 5 | Intensive Period 6 | ||||||
| Year 1 | |||||||||||
| EST202 First Nations Languages and Literacies | CO | LAL100 Language Literacy and Sustainability | CO | ||||||||
| Year 2 | |||||||||||
| EST203 First Nations Contexts in Learning and Teaching Practice | CO | EST211 Teaching First Nations Languages in Schools | CO | ||||||||
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN INTENSIVE PERIOD 6
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CU = Common Unit | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Intensive Period 1 | Intensive Period 2 | Intensive Period 3 | Intensive Period 4 | Intensive Period 5 | Intensive Period 6 | ||||||
| Year 1 | |||||||||||
| LAL100 Language Literacy and Sustainability | CO | ||||||||||
| Year 2 | |||||||||||
| EST203 First Nations Contexts in Learning and Teaching Practice | CO | EST211 Teaching First Nations Languages in Schools | CO | EST202 First Nations Languages and Literacies | CO | ||||||
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Admission requirements are met by one of the following:
- Successful completion of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (or equivalent).
- Successful completion of a national qualification at Certificate III level or higher.
- Successful completion of at least 0.5 year of full-time study (or equivalent) of a higher education degree/diploma.
- Overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications.
- Attainment of a STAT Multiple Choice score of 125 or higher.
- Successful completion of a recognised tertiary preparation course or completion of the Teacher Education specialised study area within CDU's First Nations Introduction to University Program.
- Submission of an acceptable personal competencies statement and/or employment experience.
Additional admission requirements
Applicants must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Applicants will need to have the ability to draw on important cultural knowledge and experiences, and observe relevant cultural protocols in the use of that knowledge to successfully complete this course.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the standard English language proficiency requirements for Higher Education courses at Charles Darwin University (CDU) and provide evidence as part of their application.
You can meet the minimum English language requirement by providing evidence of one of following:
| Previous study in English |
|
| AHPRA Registration | Current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English Test within two years of commencement, with the minimum scores shown below. |
| Primary language pathway | Completion of six years of primary and/or secondary schooling in a recognised English-speaking country*, including at least two years between years 7-12. |
Additional information about accepted tests and the evidence requirements is available on the English language proficiency requirements page.
^English tests - approved tests and minimum scores
| Undergraduate and postgraduate pathway program requirement | Postgraduate requirement (HDR and coursework) | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP003 | Successful completion of EAP004 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below 6.0 |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 | Overall minimum: 58 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 |
Information about test validity, accepted combined test results, IELTS One Skill Retake and evidence requirements is available on the English language proficiency requirements page.
*Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
All previous studies must have been delivered in English (medium of instruction was English). Applicants who have studied at an institution from a coutnry on the extended list must provide confirmation that their study was completed within the last five years.
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don’t be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don't be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don’t be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don't be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
If you do not meet any of the criteria above please visit Pathways to study to view the options available to you.
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